Backs against the wall and in need of leaders to step up the Phillies embarked on a four game journey against the Brewers by sending veteran Jamie Moyer to the hill. Moyer has been in essence the staff ace this season and is leading the team in wins and quality starts. He took this assignment on three days rest, first time this season attempting to do that for the 45 year old ! Ryan Howard gave Moyer an early cushion as he belted a Ben Sheets fastball over the center field wall in the very first inning to put the Fightins up 2 to 0. Jimmy Rollins scored in front of Howard as he reached on a single to lead off the game.

J.J. Hardy took Moyer out in the third to make the count 2 to 1. Ryan Howard got it back in the 4th as he belted a double off the top of the centerfield fence to plate Chase Utley who had led off the inning with a single. Pedro Feliz doubled off the right field wall to score Howard. Prince Fielder slammed a two run home run in the top of the sixth to make the score 4 to 3.

Charlie went to the pen in the sixth, Moyer threw five and 2/3 innings and left with the lead. He gave the team another pro’s pro effort and showed his younger teammates how to perform in big games. Ryan Madson got first call from the pen and got a groundout to end the visitor’s sixth. The Phillies scored again in the bottom of the sixth as Carlos Ruiz doubled home Pedro Feliz. Feliz had reached base on a single.

Ryan Madson pitched into the eighth inning and actually got two outs before Charlie had to do his bullpen shuffle to complete the inning. He used both Scott Eyre and Chad Durbin to finish the inning. At end of eight 5 to 3 Phils. Good job by Mr. Madson in this one going two innings allowing no runs.

Shane Victorino led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, went to second on an errant throw to first, was sacrificed to third by Pedro Feliz on a bunt and scored on a squeeze bunt by Carlos Ruiz! Small ball baby! If it didn’t work you can bet your last dollar the talk show discussion would have been second guessing the hell out of that one!

Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 36th save in 36 tries. The Phillies increased their record to 66 and 0 when leading after eight innings. One down, three to go !

Chatter

Skipper Charlie Manuel in his game recap with the Press last night called out the home fans to step up just like the team needs to. Mr. Manuel stated that the fans were flat in the Marlins series and that the team needed their energy to push them along. I wholeheartedly agree with him and in fact listed that as one of my “little things” in a previous blog article the team needed. I also agree with my buddy Al in his response to last nights blog review that I am tired of the blame being funnelled on the skipper, lets all get on the same page folks……… players, coaches, front office, skipper and yes us as fans…………. beat the damn Brew Crew and then sweep the Braves and Nats in the last 12! Who says it can’t be done, not me!

One last thing for tonight, God Bless the memory of those who died on 9/11/01, I like all Americans will never ever forget that horrible day in our history and will always honor those who perished. God Bless America !